Day 1

Arcadia Lesson Plan

Discussion of Thought Questions

1

What is the significance of Thomasina's asking Septimus if "God is a Newtonian"?

(5 minutes)

This is Thomasina's lead in to sharing with Septimus her idea that there must be a mathematical formula to derive the future, even though it would be impossible for a person to do. Over a hundred years before the scene takes place, Newton had formulated the Law of Motion, making one of the most influential scientific discoveries of all time. Thomasina believes that this means she should be able to derive an equation for exactly what is going to happen.

2

Track the subject of carnal embrace in the scene. How does it function in the scene?